Moses' condition improving: coach

Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Boxer Antonius Moses Seram, who was knocked unconscious and fell into a coma after a fight on Tuesday, was improving slightly after being operated on shortly after being rushed to the hospital, a coach said.

"He has been responding to touch. but he was still in a coma after suffering a brain hemorrhage from the beating he took," Muhammad Rahman, a member of the boxer's coaching staff, told The Jakarta Post.

Rachman said he was relieved to see that Moses could respond to his handshake by squeezing his hand.

Moses, 20, is currently receiving medical treatment at the Indonesian Christian University (UKI) Hospital.

He is clinging to life after getting knocked out in the eighth round of his light flyweight non-title bout against Kaichon sor Vorapin of Thailand.

The match was aired live on RCTI.

Moses was hammered with three powerful combinations of jabs and straight rights to his head, which sent him sprawling to the canvas. Referee Nus Ririhena counted him out but Moses still did not move.

Tommy Halauwet, a member of the boxer's medical team, said that Moses' condition was about the same as yesterday, except that his blood pressure had dropped to 110 over 70.

He said that if Moses recovered he might have to stop boxing as another impact to his head could cause a fatal injury.

Moses, a member of the Akas Probolinggo Boxing Camp, has had 16 fights with 14 wins, nine by knockout, Tuesday's loss and a draw.

Rachman said that all the costs of his medical treatment would be covered by the promoter Aseng Sugiarto.

Moses, who is listed in critical condition, is another in long line of fatalities and major injuries in Indonesian boxing with Bones Fransiscus being the last victim in February last year.

Other fatalities have included Donny Maramis in 2001, Moh. Alfaridzi, John Namtilu, Bayu Young Iray and Dipo Saloko.